On 27th May 2013, the two footballers Andreas Ivanschitz and Sebastian Prödl, who play for the Austrian national squad, took part in very special preparations for their World Cup qualifier against Sweden on 7th June in Vienna: The two Austrians had a unique training session with Mercedes-Benz DTM driver Pascal Wehrlein at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. The event was also a prelude to the third round of the DTM that likewise takes place this weekend at the Red Bull Ring (June 1st-2nd).
During the driver training exercise, instructor Wehrlein went through three basic routines with the two players, giving tips regarding how to accelerate and brake correctly and how to find the ideal racing line. Following on from the practical element of the session, they subsequently sat in the passenger seat of Wehrlein’s C63 AMG Performance Car and experienced some high-octane racing excitement.

Pascal Wehrlein:“This driver training session was a nice variation to our routine in the run-up to the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, and because I’m a big football fan, it was great to meet Andreas and Sebastian. Both performed well on the exercises and obviously had fun driving around the racetrack. It was very enjoyable for me too, giving the guys a few tips. It was also really super driving the Mercedes AMG C 63 Performance Car on a circuit that is set in such beautiful landscape.”

Andreas Ivanschitz:“It’s a great feeling testing yourself to the limit on a racetrack, especially when you’ve got Pascal by your side. He’s a real pro who supports you with valuable tips and advice. But I’ve also noticed that I don’t make a very good passenger – I prefer to do the driving myself.”

Sebastian Prödl:“I’ve never driven a car like the Mercedes AMG C 63 before, and it is obviously a unique experience. You get a tremendous sense of freedom out on the track and the chance to probe your own limits. It’s really very special when man and machine combine in this way. Thankfully, Pascal was there to rein me in a bit.”